Method and apparatus for tufting cut pile and loop pile in the same row of stitching



Aprll 9, 1963 R. T. CARD 3,084,645

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TUFTING CUT PILE AND LOOP PILE IN THE SAME ROWOF STITCHING Original Filed March 10, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORATTORNEY A ril 9, 1963 R. T. CARD 3,084,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TUFTING CUT PILE AND LOOP PILE IN THE SAME ROWOF'STITCHING Original Filed March 10, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "Z 78 73INVENTOR 5 4 v f 7? wwfii April 9, 1963 R T CARD 3,084,645

METHOD AND APPARATUS TUFTING CUT PILE'AND LOOP ILE IN THE SAME ROW OFSTITCHING Original Filed March 12), 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 41 62 60 if,a; 1

(3* INVENTOR if 20y 7? 659,90 "'1 3 Al IOI QNEY United States Patent 1'1(Ilairns. (Cl. 112-7a This application is a continuation of applicationSerial No. 14,084, filed March '10, 1960, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for selectively formingcut pile and loop pile in the same row of stitching in a tufted fabric,and more particularly to the novel construction and positioning of ahook in a tufting machine for carrying out such a method.

Heretofore, in making tu-fted fabrics, several methods have beenemployed for patterning the fabric by an arrangement of cut pile andloop pile in the fabric, for example, by carving or by providing apattern controlled loop engaging zfinger associated with a cut pile hookfor selectively removing loops off the hook before they are cut andthereby forming loop pile. None of these how ever have been commerciallysatisfactory in that they are uneconomical, or are complicated andtroublesome'in operation. Accordingly, the object of this invention isto provide a simple and reliable mechanism for forming tufted fabricshaving a patterned arrangement of cut pile and loop pile.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a tufting machine ahook adapted to point in the direction opposite the fabric feed andhaving a resilient finger or a spring clip associated with the hook toprevent any loops from slipping off the free end of the hook until theyarn is backdrawn.

A further object of this invention is to provide a multiple needletufting machine having an improved mechanism for producing in a tuftedfabric an unlimited variety of patterned arrangements of cut pile andloop pile.

In accordance with this invention, there has been provided in a tuftingmachine a hook and cooperating knife arranged normally to form cut pile,together with means for selectively backdrawing the yarn to pullselected loops off the free end of the hook before they are cut by theknife in order to form loop pile. The means for selectively backdrawingthe yarn comprises a pattern controlled yarn feeding mechanism whichfeeds to the needles upon each stitch an amount of yarn that is eitheradequate or inadequate to accommodate the yarn requirements of thesystem, whereby, when there is an inadequate amount of yarn fed toaccommodate the yarn requirements of the system, the yarn will betensioned, causing the loop to be pulled off the hook. To permit theloops to slip off the hook when the yarn is backdrawn, the hook isformed with a bill having a smooth bottom edge, and to insure that theloops will not accidentally slip oif the hook unless and until the yarnis backdrawn, there is provided a resilient finger or a spring clipassociated with the hook.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view transversely of a multiple needletufting machine made in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic top plan view of the pattern controlmechanism;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the Tenn, assignor,by mesne Inc, a corporation of hook and needle in an operative positionpreparatory to forming a loop;

FIG. 4 is a sectional of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view looking in the oppositedirection from FIG. 1 disclosing a second operative position of the hookrelative to the needle;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 disclosing a thirdoperative position of the hook relative to the needle and wherein theloop is being backdrawn from the hook;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 disclosing a fourth operativeposition of the hook relative to the needle and wherein the loop hasbeen backdrawn from the hook;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 disclosing the needle spreading thespring clip away from the hook as the hook enters the loop of yarn onthe needle;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the needle in raised position;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to fied form of hook;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of another modified form of hook andloop retaining means in loop forming position;

FIG. .15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to hook in cutting position; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, FIG. 1 discloses in crosssection a multiple needle tufting machine comprising a frame or housing20 having a bedplate 21 adapted to support the base fabric 22 which isfed through the machine from the 'front to the rear by means of fabricfeed rolls 23 and 24. The needle drive means comprises a horizontalrotary shaft 25, which may be driven by any suitable power means, notshown. Intermediate its ends, the shaft 25 is provided with a plur-alityof eccentrics 26 operatively associated with con necting rods 27 toreciprocate vertically the push rods 28 and needle bar 29. The needlebar 29 supports a plurality of aligned needles 30 adapted to penetratethe fabric 22. A slotted needle plate 31 is mounted on top of thebedplate 21 to support the base fabric 22 while the needles 3t)reciprocate therethrough.

A yarn 35 is supplied to each needle 30 by any convenient type of yarnfeed mechanism which may be controlled to feed individual yarnsselectively at various speeds to the needles. By way of illustration,the pattern control mechanism which is the subject matter of the UnitedStates patent of J. L. Card, No. 2,935,037, May 3, 1960, is disclosed inFIGS. 1 and-2 for supplying the yarn 35 at slow and fast speeds. Thispattern control mechanism comprises a pair of closely spaced parallelfeed rolls 36 and 37, each feed roll having respectively uniformlyspaced circular yarn-gripping bands 38 and 39 made of frictionalmaterial, each band being adapted to engage and feed a yarn at theperipheral speed of the roll on which the band is located. The yarngripping bands 38 on the roll 3-6 are staggered with respect to the yarngripping bands 39 on the feed roll 37 in order that any yarn 35 passingbetween the rolls will be engaged either by a band 38 or a band 39 andpermitted to slip on the surface of the opposite roll. Each feed roll 36or 37 is driven at a different speed from view taken along the line 4-4FIG. 4 of a slightly modi- FIG. 14 disclosing the the other feed roll.Although either feed roll 36 or 37 may be positively driven from asuitable power source, not shown, the large gear 46 fixed to the shaftof the feed roll 36 and meshing with the smaller gear 41 fixed to theshaft of the feed roll 37 will cause the rear feed roll 37 to rotate ata faster speed than the front feed roll 36. Thus, a yarn 35 engaging afront feed roll band 38 will be fed at a slower rate than a yarn 35engaging a rear feed roll band 39.

Mounted above the yarn feed rolls 36 and 37 is a yarn shifting finger 42pivoted on a vertical spindle 4,3 and adapted to shift yarnslongitudinally of the rolls 36 and 37 to permit a pair of adjacent yarngripping bands 38 and 39 alternately to grip the yarn 35 carried by thecorresponding finger 42. The opposite end of the shifting finger 42. ispivotally connected to the armature 44 of a solenoid 45, to permitpivotal movements of the finger upon energization or de-energization ofthe solenoid 45. Each solenoid 45 is individually controlled through anelectrical lead 46 connected to a pattern drum finger 47. Each [finger47 is adapted to engage the surface of a rotating pattern drum 48 whenthe finger 47 rides in a slot 49 of a pattern sheet St) to close theelectrical circuit between a power source, not shown, and the respectivesolenoid 45. When the pattern finger 47 rides on the surface of thepattern sheet electrical contact is broken so that the solenoid 45' willbecome deenergized and the shifting finger will be permitted to returnto its original position. The pattern drum 48 is rotated by means of abelt 51 which is connected to a suitable driving source, not shown. Asbest disclosed in FIG. 2, the yarn shifting finger 42, disclosed insolid lines, maintains its corresponding yarn 35 in contact with a yarngripping band 39 of the fast feed roll 37 when the pattern drum finger47 engages the solid surface of the pattern sheet 50 to inactivate thesolenoid 45. When the pattern finger 47 engages a slot 4-9 to close theelectrical circuit to the solenoid 45, the armature 44 is drawn in,causing the yarn shifting finger 42 to pivot 59 to the dashed lineposition and move its corresponding yarn 35 to engage the adjacent yarngripping band 38 of the slower yarn feed roll 36. A yarn-jerker 30a iscarried by the needle bar .29 and operates to engage the lead of theyarn 35 between a stationary yarn guide 3019 on the frame of the machineand a yarn guide 390 carried by the needle bar 29. On the down stroke ofthe needle bar 29 as the needles 30 penetrate the fabric 22, theyarn-jerker 30a. functions to release yarn, while on the upstroke of theneedle bar 29 as the needles 30 are withdrawn from the fabric, theyarn-jerker functions to take up yarn. Thus, when the amount of yarn fedupon any stitch by the yarn feed mechanism is not adequate toaccommodate the take up action of the yarn-jerker, and since the supplylead of the yarn is in effect anchored by the yarn feed rolls 36 and 37,the yarn-jerker will tension the yarn and will thereby withdraw yarnfrom the work. This action of withdrawing yarn from the Work is hereinreferred to as backdrawing.

The tufting machine and elements thus far described are old in the art.

This invention is concerned with the formation of cut pile and loop pilein the same row of stitching by normally forming cut pile on a hooksomewhat resembling a conventional cut pile hook, and selectivelybackdrawing yarn from the hook before the loop can be fed far enoughalong the hook to be cut by the knife. In order to carry out thisinvention effectively, a hook 54 of novel construction is employed. Thehook 54 comprises a shank 55 having a mounting portion 55a which isinserted in a reciprocable hook bar 56 mounted transversely of themachine on a shaft 57 adapted to be reciprocated by mechanism, notshown, in a conventional manner. The shank 55' extends upwardly at anangle from the mounting portion 550. From the upper end of the shank 55there extends a bill 59 that defines with the shank a throat 58. Thebill 59 extends in the direction of stitching and in the oppositedirection of fabric feed. The bottom edge 5d of the bill 59 extends fromthe throat 58 substantially normal to the axis of the shank 55 for abouttwo-thirds the length of the bill, at which point the bottom portion '61of the bill 59 slopes upward toward the top edge to form therewith asharp point 62 at the free end of the hook 54 Secured to one side of thehook 54 is a resilient finger or spring clip 65 having one end fixed tothe body portion 55a of the shank 55 by any convenient means, such asscrews or pins 6-6. The finger or clip 65 extends substantially parallelto and spaced below the bill 59 in a substantially straight portion 6'7.The clip 65 then bends outwardly away from the hook 54 into a gradualarcuate portion 68 which curves back in to engage the pointed end 62 bymeans of a straight creased portion 69. The spring clip 65 has an endportion 70 that flares outwardly away from the hook 54 and the creasedportion 69 at such an angle as to engage and guide the needle 30 between the bill 59 and the spring clip 65 when the hook 54 moves towardengagement with a loop carried through the base fabric 22 by the needle30.

Mounted on the opposite side of the hook 54 from the spring clip 65 is aknife 73 supported in a conventional manner by a knife holder 74 mountedon the reciprocable knife shaft 75. The knife shaft 75 may bereciprocably rotated by any conventional drive means not shown. Theknife 73 is adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with the bill 59 andthroat 58 in the same manner as a conventional knife and cut pile hookto produce cut pile '77 in the yarn 35.

The operation of the invention is best disclosed in FIGS. 1-11. With thetufting machine in operation, the fabric feed rolls 2.3 and 24, the maindrive shaft 25, the yarn feed rolls 36 and 37, and the pattern drum 48are simultaneously rotated, and the hook shaft 57 and knife shaft 75 aresimultaneously reciprocated to cooperate with each other in synchronousrelationship. As each needle 30* is pushed down through the base fabric22, the hook '54 and the knife 73 are retracted to their extremerearward positions, substantially shown in FIG. 7. When the needle sodescends to its lowermost position, carrying the yarn 35 through thebase fabric 22, the hook 54 begins its movement toward the front of themachine in the direction opposite the fabric feed, as best disclosed inFIGS. 3 and 4. Continued forward movement of the hook 54- will cause theflared portion 70 to engage and be moved outwardly by the needle 30, sothat the hook bill 59 may pass between the needle 30 and one leg of theyarn loop 78, as best disclosed in FIG. 8. As the bill 59 continues itsforward passage through the loop 78, the needle 30 enters the curvedportion 68 of the spring clip 65, which returns to its original positionwith the creased portion 69 resting against the bill 59 and Withclearance between the needle 30 and the curved portion 68, as bestdisclosed in FIGS. 5 and 9. While the hook 54 is momentarily in itsforwardmost position, the needle 3% will move upward to becomedisengaged from the bill 59, with the creased portion 69 still engagingthe bill '59 to prevent the loop 78 from normally slipping over thepointed end 62 when the hook 54 reciprocates toward its rearmostposition. During this operation, the yarn 35 is normally being fed tothe needle 30 by its corresponding yarn gripping band 39 on the fastfeed roll 37. Upon subsequent stitches, these loops 78 will be fedtoward the throat 58 by Virtue of the feeding of the fabric 22 where theloops 78 will be cut by the knife 73 to form cut pile 77.

When it is desired to form uncut loops 79 in a row of stitching, thepattern finger 47 will engage a notch 49 in the pattern sheet 50 toclose the electrical circuit, thereby energizing the solenoid 45 tocause the armature 4.4 and yarn shifting finger 42 to assume the dashedline position of FIG. 2 and to shift the yarn 35 from the yarn grippingband 39 to the adjacent yarn gripping band 38 of the slow-speed feedroll 36. When the yarn 35 is controlled by the slow-speed feed roll 36,the yarn 35 will be backdrawn from the loop 78, which is still held onthe bill 59 by the spring clip 65. The backdrawing of the yarn 35provides sufiicient tension to draw the loop 7 8 toward the pointed end62 and force the creased portion 69 to separate from the bill 59, asdisclosed in FIGS. 6 and 11, and thereby permit the loopto escapebetween the bill 59 and the flexed spring clip 65 to be entirely removedfrom the hook 54 and form the short uncut loop 79, as best disclosed inFIG. 7. Continued rearward movement of the hook 54 will also provideadditional tension in the yarn 35 to assist in removing the loop 79,although this invention contemplates backdrawing yarn from a stationaryhook if desired to remove an uncut loop from the hook. The strength ofthe spring clip 65 is pre-selected to flex only when forced by abackdrawn loop 78 or by the needle 30. Thus, selective feeding of theyarn 35 at different speeds by means of the pattern control mechanismwill cause the formation of long cut pile 77 and short uncut or looppile 79' in the same row of stitching. Selective speed control of aplurality of yarns 35 in a multiple needle tufting machine will createany desired pattern of contrasting high cut pile and low loop pile, asdetermined by the pattern formed in the pattern sheet 50.

FIGS. 12-13 disclose a slightly modified form of hook 54 and spring clip65 Although the shank 55 is of a different configuration from the shank55 in order to set the hook 54 in a hook bar 56 such as that disclosedin FIGS. 14 and 16, having a different relative location from the needle30* from that of the hook bar 56, the throat 58 bill 59 and the portionsof the bill 60 61 and 62 are still the same configuration as theircorresponding parts 58621. The spring clip or finger 65 is substantiallystraight throughout its length and secured to the shank 55 by means ofthe screws 66 in order to obtain the same relative spring pressure asthe corresponding spring clip 65. The portions 67 68 69 and 70 are ofthe same configuration as their corresponding parts 67-70. Moreover, themodified hook 54 and spring clip 65 function the same as the hook 54 andspring clip 65.

FIGS. 1417 disclose another modified form of the invention in which thehook 54 mounted in the hook bar 56 is adapted to cooperate with a springfinger 85 mounted on the knife holder 74 The hook bar 56 the hook 54 theknife shaft 75 knife holder 7-4 and the knife 73 are so mounted withrespect to each other that the hook bar 56 and the knife shaft 75 may besimultaneously reciprocated in a manner similar to the hook bar 56 andthe knife shaft 75 so that the knife 73 will cooperate with the closedend of the bill 59 to sever loops thereon. The spring finger 85 extendsupward, spaced forward of the knife 73 The end of the finger 85 isadapted to remain spaced from the pointed end 62 in order to permit thebill 59 to pick up loops carried by the needle 39* as best disclosed inFIG. 14. When the needle 30 is raised and the hook 54 reciprocated awayfrom the needle toward the rear of the machine, the rotation of theknife shaft 75 in a clockwise direction swings the finger 85 upwardlyand rearwardly across and in contact with the bill 59 to close the freeend of the hook and prevent any loops formed thereon from being removedfrom the free end of the hook when the yarn 35 is fed at the fast rateby the yarn roll 37, as best disclosed in FIG. 16. However, when theyarn 35 is backdrawn by engaging the slow feed roll 36, sufficienttension is developed in the loop held by the hook 54 to overcome thetension in the spring finger 85 and permit the loop to be withdrawnbetween the hook bill 59 and the finger $5 to be completely removed fromthe hook 54 to form an uncut loop 79. Otherwise, the modified form ofthe invention disclosed in FIGS. 14-17 functions in the same manner asthe elements disclosed in FIGS. 1-13.

It is also possible to employ a spring clip similar to 65 and 65 adaptedto be positively separated from engagement with the hook 54 or 54respectively, by means of a movable or stationary cam mechanism. Thecamming operation would be timed to occur just previous to the hookcrosing the needle 30 to permit the bill 59 or 59 to engage the loop.

It is also within the scope of this invention to use any type of patterncontrol mechanism or yarn feed mechanism which may be selectivelyoperated to feed individual yarns at a normal fast rate and a slowenough rate to backdraw the yarn to release loops from the free end ofthe hook.

The modifications ferred over the modifications because there is norelative movement clip 65 or 65 and the hook 54 or 54 timing required.

It can also be appreciated that a conventional multiple needle tuftingmachine having cut pile hooks and cooperating knives for forming cutpile fabrics may be converted into the above described machine forforming selective areas of cut pile and loop pile according to anypredetermined pattern, by merely exchanging the conventional cut pilehooks for the hooks 54 and spring clips 65 of this invention and byadding any conventional pattern control mechanism for feeding yarns atdifferent speeds.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention, without departing from the spirit and thescope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that whichis shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only asindicated in the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of this invention, what is claimedherein is:

1. In a tufting machine, means for feeding a base fabric in onedirection, a yarn-carrying needle to penetrate the base fabric and formloops therein, means to reciprocate the needle, means for feeding yarnto said needle, a reciprocatory hook to enter the loops in successionand facing in a direction opposite to the direction of fabric feed, thefeeding of the fabric moving the loops upon the hook toward its closedside, means for reciprocating said hook, a knife for cooperating withsaid hook to sever loops thereon when said hook has been moved away fromsaid needle in the direction of fabric feed, means for reciprocatingsaid knife, a spring clip fixed to said hook, said clip having a freeend biased against said hook near its free end to permit the passage ofa loop between the free ends of said hook and said clip when sufficienttension is exerted upon said loops, and means for selectivelybackdrawing yarn to pull loops from the free end of said hook when saidhook reciprocates in the direction of fabric feed.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which the disclosed in FIGS.l-13 are predisclosed in FIGS. 14-17 between the spring nor is anyspecial free end of said spring clip is flared outwardly from said hookand is on the opposite side of the hook from said knife, said flaredportion being adapted to guide said needle in its lowermost positionbetween said spring clip and said hook as said hook reciprocates towardsaid needle.

3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said hook has a pointedbill the lower portion of which slopes upwardly to permit said backdrawnloops to slide off the free end of said hook when said hook reciprocatesin the direction of fabric feed.

4. A method of tufting cut pile and loop pile in the same row ofstitching comprising supporting a base fabric, stitching a yarn to forma row of successive yarn loops on one side of said fabric, supportingupon said one side of said fabric a hook, relatively moving the hook sothat its free end enters the loops in succession, closing the aoageasfree end of said hook with yieldable means normally to prevent thewithdrawal of loops from said hook, severing a selected loop upon thehook to produce cut pile and backdrawing yarn from another selected loopon said hook with sufiicient tension to cause said other selected loopto move said yieldable means to open the free end of said hook andpermit said other loop to withdraw from the free end of said hook toproduce an uncut loop.

5. A method of tufting cut pile and loop pile in the same row ofstitching comprising supporting and feeding a base fabric in onedirection, stitching a yarn continuously through said base fabric assaid fabric moves to form a row of successive yarn loops on one side ofsaid fabric, supporting upon said side of said fabric a reciprocatoryhook having a free end pointing in the direction opposite the fabricfeed so that said free end enters the loops in succession, closing thefree end of said hook with yieldable means normally to prevent thewithdrawal of loops from said hook, severing a selected loop upon thehook to produce cut pile and backdrawing yarn from another selected loopon said hook with sufiicient tension to cause said other selected loopto move said yieldable means to open the free end of said hook andpermit said other loop to withdraw from the free end of said hook toproduce an uncut loop.

6. In a tufting machine, means for supporting a base fabric, means forstitching a yarn continuously through said base fabric to form loopstherein, a hook having a free end to enter the loops in succession and aclosed end, means for relatively moving said loops upon said hook towardits closed end, yieldable means for engaging the free end of said hooknormally to prevent the withdrawal of loops therefrom, and means forbackdrawing said yarn to pull a loop with sufiicient tension to causesaid loop to force said yieldable means away from said free end topermit said loop to be withdrawn from the free end of said hook.

7. In a tufting machine, means for supporting a base fabric, means forstitching a yarn continuously through said base fabric to form loopstherein, a hook having a free end to enter the loops in succession and aclosed end, means for relatively moving said loops upon said hook towardits closed end, yieldable means for engaging the free end of said hooknormally to prevent the withdrawal of loops therefrom, means cooperatingwith the closed end of said hook to sever selected loops thereon, andmeans for selectively backdrawing said yarn with sufiicient tension fromanother loop to cause said other loop to force said yieldable means awayfrom said free end to permit said other loop to be withdrawn from thefree end of said hook to form an uncut loop.

8. The invention according to claim 7 in which means are provided forfeeding said fabric in the direction of the closed end of said hook.

9. The invention according to claim 6 in which said yieldable meanscomprises a resilient finger biased toward engagement with the free endof said hook, the yarn tension provided by said backdrawing means beingsufficien to separate said finger from said hook.

10. The invention according to claim 9 in which said finger is securedto said hook.

11. The invention according to claim 9 in which said severing meanscomprises a knife and means for reciprocating said knife to cooperatewith said hook, said yieldable finger being mounted on said knife andadapted to engage the free end of said hook when said loops are beingcut and to separate from said free end when the loops are not being cut.

12. The invention according to claim 6 in which the undersurface of saidfree end slopes upward in the direction of the free end to facilitatethe withdrawal of loops therefrom.

13. A method of tufting cut pile and loop .pile in the same row ofstitching comprising supporting and feeding a base fabric in onedirection, actuating a needle to stitch a yarn continuously through saidbase fabric as said fabric moves to form a row of successive yarn loopson one side of said fabric, supporting upon one side of said fabric areciprocatory hook having a free end pointing in the direction oppositeto the direction of fabric feed so that said free end enters the loopsin succession, closing the free end of said hook with yieldable meansnormally to prevent the withdrawal of loops from said hook, feeding tosaid needle upon each stitch predetermined lengths of yarn that areinadequate to accommodate the yarn requirements of the system wherebyyarn is backdrawn from the loop with sufficient tension to cause saidloop to move said yieldable means to open the free end of said hook andpermit said loop to withdraw from the free end of said hook or that areadequate to accommodate the yarn requirements of the system whereby saidloop will remain on said hook, and severing those loops that remain onsaid hook.

14. In a tufting machine, means for feeding a base fabric in onedirection, a yarn-carrying needle for pentrating the fabric and formingloops therein, means for reciprocating said needle; a reciprocatory hookfor enering the loops in succession and facing in a direction oppositeto the direction of feed of the fabric, means for reciprocating saidbook, a knife for cooperating with said hook to sever loops thereon,means for reciprocating said knife, a spring clip fixed to said hook,said clip having a free end biased against said hook near its free endfor normally maintaining loops on said hook and for permitting escape ofsaid loops from said hook when sufficient tension is exerted on saidyarn, and means for feeding to said needle upon each stitchpredetermined lengths of yarn that are selectively adequate orinadequate to accommodate the yarn requirements of the system, wherebywhen an adequate length of yarn is fed the loop will remain upon saidhook and be severed by said knife and when an inadequate length of yarnis fed the loop will be backdrawn from said hook.

15. A hook for use in a tufting machine, said hook being planar andcomprising a shank having a mounting portion for mounting the same inthe hook bar of a tufting machine and a bill extending from said shankto define a throat between said bill and said shank, said bill having atop edge and a smooth bottom edge that extends from said throatsubstantially normal to the axis of the shank and that, adjacent to theend of said bill, slopes smoothly toward said top edge to form a pointtherewith, and a spring clip secured to the body portion of said shankand extending generally in spaced parallel relation to said bill, saidspring clip having a free end that resiliently engages said billadjacent to said point.

16. In a hook in accordance with claim 15 wherein said lower edge ofsaid bill adjacent to said throat is formed to cooperate with a knife tosever loops of yarn against said lower edge of said bill.

17. In a hook in accordance with claim 15 wherein the free end of saidspring clip flares outwardly relatively to said bill from the pointwhere said spring clip engages said bill.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,831,485 Dykeman Nov. 10, 1931 2,589,340 Chambers Mar. 18, 19522,842,079 Rice July 8, 1958 2,876,441 Boyles Mar. 3, 1959 2,879,728McCutchen Mar. 31, 1959 2,879,729 McCutchen Mar. 31, 1959 2,882,845Hoeselbarth Apr. 21, 1959

1. IN A TUFTING MACHINE, MEANS FOR FEEDING A BASE FABRIC IN ONEDIRECTION, A YARN-CARRYING NEEDLE TO PENETRATE THE BASE FABRIC AND FORMLOOPS THEREIN, MEANS TO RECIPROCATE THE NEEDLE, MEANS FOR FEEDING YARNTO SAID NEEDLE, A RECIPROCATORY HOOK TO ENTER THE LOOPS IN SUCCESSIONAND FACING IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECTION OF FABRIC FEED, THEFEEDING OF THE FABRIC MOVING THE LOOPS UPON THE HOOK TOWARD ITS CLOSEDSIDE, MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID HOOK, A KNIFE FOR COOPERATING WITHSAID HOOK TO SEVER LOOPS THEREON WHEN SAID HOOK HAS BEEN MOVED AWAY FROMSAID NEEDLE IN THE DIRECTION OF FABRIC FEED, MEANS FOR RECIPROCATINGSAID KNIFE, A SPRING CLIP FIXED TO SAID HOOK, SAID CLIP HAVING A FREEEND BIASED AGAINST SAID HOOK NEAR ITS FREE END TO PERMIT THE PASSAGE OFA LOOP BETWEEN THE FREE ENDS OF SAID HOOK AND SAID CLIP WHEN SUFFICIENTTENSION IS EXERTED UPON SAID LOOPS, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELYBACKDRAWING YARN TO PULL LOOPS FROM THE FREE END OF SAID HOOK WHEN SAIDHOOK RECIPROCATES IN THE DIRECTION OF FABRIC FEED.